When to plant peas in South Carolina
South Carolina’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Pea needs 55–70 days to mature, which fits comfortably within South Carolina's growing season.
When to plant peas in South Carolina: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 13 – Mar 4. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in South Carolina: Mar 2 · Mar 14 · Mar 26 · Apr 7 · Apr 19
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow peas in South Carolina, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Feb 13 – Mar 4). Space plants about 2 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart, sowing seed 1 inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in South Carolina.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, pea weevil, armyworm. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, root rot.
- Harvest (from about Apr 14 – Apr 29). Pea takes 55-70 days to reach harvest. Sow as soon as the soil can be worked - 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Production stops once daytime highs stay above ~80 F.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use South Carolina’s average frost dates. More in the full pea growing guide.
Pea planting dates by USDA zone in South Carolina
South Carolina spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the pea dates shift with them.
When to plant peas in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (this page) | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Feb 24 – Mar 15 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Feb 13 – Mar 4 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Mar 1 – Mar 20 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Mar 9 – Mar 28 |
Questions gardeners in South Carolina ask
When is the best time to plant peas in South Carolina?
Sow peas in South Carolina between February 13 and March 4. That timing is set by South Carolina's average last spring frost of March 25.
Can I plant peas in the fall in South Carolina?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 17 and September 3, so the crop matures in cool weather before South Carolina's first frost around November 5.
When will peas planted in South Carolina be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, peas are usually ready from about April 14 to April 29, 55-70 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in South Carolina?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.